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Commissioners discuss using remaining grants to extend fire/EMS consulting contract
Summary
Staff told the commission there are two consulting grants with roughly $19,000 and $21,000 remaining and proposed a six-month extension for a fire/EMS contractor at a reduced rate of $1,500 per week if renewed in January; commissioners agreed to proceed pending invoice and invoicing-structure clarifications.
Penobscot County commissioners on Dec. 11 reviewed remaining grant funds for consulting services and discussed a proposed six-month extension of a fire/EMS consulting contract that staff said could be funded in part by the two grants.
A staff member said two consulting grants had remaining balances (described in open session as roughly $19,000 in one grant and $21,000 in the other) and that the grants must be used for the specified communities that received them. Staff proposed using the remaining grant funds, combined with a county contribution if needed, to cover a contract extension. "If we renew going forward in January, it drops to $1,500 a week," a staff speaker said, later noting that rate equals about $6,000 per month and about $36,000 over a six‑month extension, plus travel and hotel expenses.
Finance staff agreed the remaining grant balances would be close to what is needed to complete the work through June and described how invoices have been structured: the county has been holding funds on behalf of the community groups and invoices break out county share and the two grant sources on one bill. The finance representative said some county share (an estimated $500 per month in the staff discussion) would be required under the proposed arrangement unless an additional grant for the Millinocket area is secured.
Commissioners asked to postpone any binding action until finance and the UT director confirm invoice lines and clarify which checkbooks and accounts will be charged. The board indicated a willingness to proceed with the extension on the discussed terms once invoicing details are resolved.
The discussion did not include a formal vote on a contract extension in open session; the staff said they would coordinate with finance and the UT director and return with the precise invoicing path.
